Chapter Two
ELLIE
Present Day
I woke up and rolled over to look at the clock, groaning. I had slept in far too late, but I really didn’t sleep much at all. I tossed and turned with my dreams most of the night and now it was nearly 10’oclock in the morning.
I quickly threw the blankets off, went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, then headed downstairs. I was careful to be quiet in case Dylan was still sleeping. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw a note on the fridge:
“Mom – Went out with Carrie. Be back late.
Love you -D”
I folded it up and placed the note on the counter so I could fix myself some breakfast. My usual choice for a laid-back morning: a bowl of yogurt with sliced strawberries, blueberries, and granola. I ate it slowly, savoring every bite of the home-grown berries. After breakfast, I contemplated logging onto my laptop to check work email then decided against it, opting instead for a stroll around the property.
The walk got me thinking again about our journey to get to this point, to this life. It’s a great life – me and Dylan. I think I’ve done good for myself, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.
Today, the sun was shining and the sound of the birds chirping called to me from the willow tree by the creek bank, begging me to come out and enjoy the morning. I grabbed my sunhat and walked down to the creek, kicking my sandals off and stepping into the cool water. I splashed my feet, listening to the trickling of the water and the memory of little boy’s laughter.
Was it really coming up on the eighth anniversary of owning this beautiful property? Sometimes I could hardly believe I was living here; it’s like a dream. Then when it’s quiet and all I can hear is the water whooshing over the rocks, I wonder what life could have been like if Lee hadn’t died or how our story would have changed if I hadn’t walked out the door and got in that taxi.
Would things have been different? Would they still have ended up the same? But then I shake off the questions. Get out of your head, Ellie. I tell myself. You can’t change the past.